Trump Is Wrong. Cheap Goods Are Awesome.
The right number of dolls? As many as your kid wants.
Economic Nationalism
The Trouble With Donald Trump's 'Department Store' Analogy
America is not a department store. And no successful department store would be following Trump's antitrade strategy.
Rep. Suzan DelBene on Tariffs, Trade Policy, and Congressional Authority
"I've been very vocal about congressional authority under a Democratic president or now under a Republican president," the Washington state congresswoman tells Reason.
5 Times the Trump Team Told Americans To Accept Being Poorer
Trump's comment about how "dolls" will "cost a couple of bucks more" is the latest in a long trend of nationalist conservatives disparaging affordable stuff.
America Gained Nothing From Trump's Latest Tariff Stunt
There were no deals. There were no wins. There was no plan.
Trump's Car Tariffs Could Drive Slovakia Into Russia's Arms
By imposing massive tariffs on foreign-made cars, Trump is punishing key allies, tanking Slovakia’s economy, and undermining U.S. influence in Eastern Europe.
A Trade War Will Reduce American Exports Too
It's obvious that tariffs will harm American companies that import goods. But the losses don't end there.
Phil Magness: The Problem With Trumponomics
Economic historian Phil Magness on the real history of tariffs and why Trump is so wrong about them.
It's Trump's Economy Now
Plus: A listener asks the editors to discuss the pros and cons of homeownership.
Trump's Trade War With America's Neighbors Is All Cost and No Benefit
What did we learn from yet another escalation in the North American trade war? Not to do it again.
Trump's New Tariffs Could Create Higher Gas Prices
And higher gas prices will make it more expensive to move goods around the country.
Can the U.S. Government Tell Chinese People Apart?
Drone maker DJI claims the Pentagon has unfairly smeared it as an arm of the Chinese military based on a mix-up of Chinese names.
How To Avoid Paying Tariffs? Have a Friend in Washington.
A new report shows that politically connected companies were better able to navigate the exclusion process and avoid paying tariffs during the Trump administration.
Could Trump Impose More Tariffs Without Congressional Approval?
Yes. But there might be one more key opportunity to rein in presidential powers over trade.
How Much Would an American-Made Toaster Actually Cost?
A lot more than Oren Cass and J.D. Vance want you to think, and Americans wouldn't like the tradeoffs necessary.
Democrats Are Talking About 'Freedom' Because Voters Really Like Freedom
And probably because Republicans have foolishly abandoned it as a unifying theme.
J.D. Vance Has Changed a Lot Since the Days of Hillbilly Elegy
Untangling the roots of Vance's odd political evolution.
Vivek Ramaswamy: Is There a Libertarian-Nationalist Alliance?
The former presidential candidate discusses the ideological tensions within the America First movement.
J.D. Vance Turned an Inspiring Personal Story Into an Unsatisfying Political Sales Pitch
If voting was the solution to the ills of America's working class, wouldn't it have worked by now?
GOP VP Nominee J. D. Vance is an Enemy of Free Markets
The Ohio Senator is one of the Party's leading advocates of protectionism, economic planning, and immigration restrictions.
Vivek Ramaswamy Debuts 'National Libertarianism' at NatCon 4
"I don’t care to replace a left-wing nanny state with a right-wing nanny state," the onetime presidential hopeful said this week.
Trump Said Tariffs Would Reduce the Trade Deficit. Instead, It Grew.
In 2017, the last full year before Trump's tariffs were imposed, America's overall trade deficit was $517 billion. By 2023, it had grown to $785 billion.
J.D. Vance's Incoherent Argument for Higher Minimum Wages
Vance thinks that jobs lost because of incompetent central planning don't matter—but that jobs lost to immigrants do.
Why a "Libertarian-Nationalist Alliance" Makes No Sense
Vivek Ramaswamy isn't the first to advocate this badly wrong idea. But there's still no good justification for it.
Trump's Proposed Tariffs Would Cost Families $1,700 Annually
"The scale of trade barriers proposed by candidate Trump is unprecedented."
Brussels Mayor Attempts To Shut Down National Conservatism Conference by Force
It's a good thing opponents of the move can appeal to the liberal values of free speech, free association, and equal treatment under law.
J.D. Vance Thinks U.S. Steel's Shareholders Weren't Adequately Warned of J.D. Vance's Efforts To Block Sale
Vance's latest gambit is pretty nonsensical, intellectually embarrassing, and obviously self-serving. But that doesn't mean that it's not dangerous too.
Marco Rubio Is Wrong About Industrial Policy
Breaking down Rubio's factually flawed and logically incoherent call for more government involvement in the economy.
Opposition to U.S. Steel Sale Shows How Similar Biden and Trump Are on Trade
Economic nationalists are claiming the deal endangers "national security" to convince Americans that a good deal for investors, employees, and the U.S. economy will somehow make America less secure. That's nonsense.
Federal Handout to Intel Will Cost $283,000 Per Job, and That's Being Generous
And the real kicker is that Intel was probably going to create those jobs without taxpayers funding anything.
The U.S. Steel/Nippon Deal Should Be None of Joe Biden's Business
Both companies consented to the deal. Why should they have to get permission from the president to do business?
Not All Policy Is Industrial Policy
Just say no to empowering government actors to put their thumbs on the scale on behalf of certain sectors.
Josh Hawley Thinks the White House Can Force an Aluminum Plant To Stay Open
Should there be any limits to a president's power to centrally plan the economy? Apparently not.
What Javier Milei Could Teach Democrats and Republicans About Capitalism
His speech in Davos challenged the growing worldwide trend of increased government involvement in economic affairs.
Over 300,000 Ohioans Are Employed by Foreign Companies. Why Isn't J.D. Vance Outraged?
Companies based outside the United States employ 7.9 million Americans. Foreign investment isn't something to be feared or blocked, but welcomed.
Spanish Translation of "The Case Against Nationalism" Now Available
The Cato Institute has posted a Spanish-language version of the article I coauthored with Alex Nowrasteh.
My New National Affairs Article on "The Case Against Nationalism"
Coauthored with Cato Institute scholar Alex Nowrasteh.
American Distillers Brace for Huge E.U. Tariff Hike
More than five years after it began, former President Donald Trump's trade war is still spiraling out of control.
Why Is Halloween Candy So Expensive? Sugar Protectionism.
A new report from the GAO highlights how America's system of sugar subsidies and tariffs costs consumers about $3.5 billion every year.
Trump's Tariffs Didn't Reduce the Trade Deficit. Why Would They Work Now?
Donald Trump's latest argument for protectionism is undermined by the realities of his own trade policies.
Trump Floats Tariff Plan That Will Make Everything More Expensive
The "Tariff Man" promises to strike again.
China's Industrial Policy Is Failing. Will American Politicians Take Notice?
Panic over China's rapid economic growth has fueled all manner of big-government proposals. They're looking even more foolish now.
Barbie Girls Now Live in a Much Wealthier Barbie World
The average working woman in 2023 earns enough money to buy a Barbie doll every 33 minutes. In 1959, it took nearly two hours.
'Freedom Conservatism' Statement of Principles Shows the New Right Isn't the Only Game in Town
A new document with more than 80 signatories puts liberty, not government, at the heart of the conservative movement.
Do the Natcons Get Anything Right?
Plus: A listener asks if the Roundtable has given the arguments of those opposed to low-skilled immigration a fair hearing.
